HBO, 8:00 p.m. ET
I get a particular feeling of joy on those rare occasions when I can steer readers and viewers, during this seemingly endless and soul-sucking pandemic, towards something that is so full of joy itself – that will make you feel good watching it, and beaming with satisfaction and happiness even afterward. Well, for a while. And here’s a wonderful example: Directed by Spike Lee, it’s HBO’s TV adaptation of a buoyant Broadway treat: David Byrne’s American Utopia, a stage musical revue and commentary wrapped around Byrne’s old and new music, during and after his days with the Talking Heads. Half of the people on stage are percussionists – so if you dance to the beat of a different drummer, chances are they’re already there. “And you may ask yourself / well, how did I get here?” I do. Frequently.
TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET
And speaking of things to recommend and watch that bring joy… Here’s another TCM showing of the 1952 movie musical classic, starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. TCM shows this movie a lot, and why not? It’s great. And Reynolds, who was cast in this movie and filmed it when she was just 19 years old, turned 20 only 10 days before Singin’ in the Rain premiered in 1952. Her first starring performance is fabulous – but so is just about every performance in this movie musical, without exception. And while the three leads – Kelly, Reynolds and Donald O’Connor – always get duly praised for their work here, pay attention, in particular, to the key supporting contributions by Jean Hagen (as a pampered silent movie star) and Cyd Charisse (as a slinky silent dancer in an extended musical sequence, pictured with Kelly).
TBS, 8:30 p.m. ET
When the Tampa Bay Rays took the first three games in this year’s American League Championship Series, proceeding to the World Series seemed an almost foregone conclusion. In baseball history, 38 teams have fallen behind 0-3 in the league series, and 37 of them lost. The sole exception: the Boston Red Sox, who climbed back against the New York Yankees to claim the pennant in 2004. But after winning last night’s Game 6, the Houston Astros have won three straight, and tied the ALCS at 3-3. Tonight’s deciding Game 7 will either propel the Rays to the World Series after a shaky series of losses, or make the Astros the second team in history to overcome such a deficit in the pennant playoffs.
NBC, 11:30 p.m. ET
Yes, it’s another fresh episode of NBC’s SNL – and it’s hard to imagine that Alec Baldwin won’t return to make fun of Donald Trump’s town hall appearance on the same network earlier this week. Can’t wait. Issa Rae of HBO’s Insecure guest hosts, marking her first time appearing as such at Studio 8-H. And the musical guest, Justin Bieber, has been featured on this show many times – not only appearing as himself, but as impersonated, wickedly and hilariously, by Kate McKinnon (see both, pictured). Will McKinnon and Bieber appear, and even sing, at the same time on the same SNL stage? If so, it might be the most memorable simultaneous performance and parody since John Belushi sang “Feelin’ Alright” next to, along with, and as Joe Cocker. That was back in Season 2 of SNL, and I saw and loved it then, and teach it now. And tonight, if Bieber and McKinnon pull off an encore of sorts, will be part of the show’s current Season 46. And I’m still watching…